Archive for the ‘Elderly’ Category
Support for Nairn Swimming Pool
Support for Nairn Swimming Pool
I was saddened to hear that Highland Council were contemplating closure of Nairn Swimming Pool due to budget cuts.
It is a well run pool with a long history of serving the people of Nairn and I was saddened to see this news in the press.
Nairn swimming pool is a well loved, popular, social venue and brings great enjoyment to not only the people of the town, but the surrounding area too.I learned to swim in Nairn Swimming pool and so did my children and I would be bitterly disappointed if it closed.
The area has popular beaches which are used during the summer by local children and it is a vital service to ensure youngsters learn to swim in a safe environment before swimming in the sea.
Unfortunately it is front line services which are going to suffer in the proposed cutbacks. There are many other areas where the budget could be addressed.
Our Swimming Pools and Community centres are a priority for all age groups and even more so for youth workers who run diversionary activities for youngsters keeping them off street corners and encouraging them to take up sport. The pool is also used by the elderly and to travel to Inverness would be difficult if not impossible.
You can be certain that I am willing do all I can in the campaign to help keep keep this important facility for Nairn open.
Jim Ferguson
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Conservative Party – An invitation to older people
David Cameron has launched the Older People Manifesto - an important addition to the Big Society agenda.
The Manifesto unveils policies designed to appeal to the older community in Britain, placing them at the centre of the political narrative and continuing David Cameron’s pledge to champion the great ignored.
“I want to bring older generations right into the mainstream of our national life”, Cameron said in a speech today. “Yes, to treat them with respect and kindness, and to give them the dignity and security they deserve - but also to call on their wisdom and values”.
Click here to download the Older People Manifesto
The Manifesto highlights:
1. Work and equality.
Work to stop discrimination against older people and introduce better support for older workers who lose their jobs, by:
- Looking at how to end the retirement age to promote fairness in the workplace.
- Scrapping the effective obligation to buy an annuity by age 75, to give people greater control over their finances.
- Providing specialist back-to-work support for the over 50s.
2. Greater financial security.
Protect pensioners’ benefits and create new forms of help to promote more independence and security, by:
- Protecting key benefits: the Winter Fuel Allowance, free bus passes, free TV licences and the pension credit. And unlike Labour, we will not scrap Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s.
- Providing a better basic state pension by linking it to earnings in 2012.
- Freezing council tax for two years in partnership with local councils, saving a typical Band D pensioner household over £200 a year.
- Giving more help to lower fuel bills through a ‘green deal’, helping to tackle fuel poverty.
3. Health and independence.
Health and social care that is fairer and more flexible, reducing the increasing isolation and vulnerability of elderly people, by:
- Health and social care that is fairer and more flexible, reducing the increasing isolation and vulnerability of elderly people, by:
- Protecting NHS spending so it has the resources it needs to meet people’s rising expectations about the quality of care they should receive.
- Providing single budgets, combining social and health funding, to give older people direct control over the care they receive.
- Scrapping Labour’s jobs tax, and using the £200 million a year this will save the NHS to create a Cancer Drugs Fund – making sure that everyone has access to the cancer drugs their doctors think will help them.
- Devolving public health budgets, so communities can spend money to prevent older people getting ill in the first place.
- Making sure that no-one is forced to sell their own home to pay their care home fees.
- Delivering better palliative care to people at the end of their lives.
4. Family and community.
Greater recognition of the important role that older people and grandparents play in their communities, and more opportunities for older people to take a more active part in building a stronger, more family-friendly society, by:
- Greater recognition of the important role that older people and grandparents play in their communities, and more opportunities for older people to take a more active part in building a stronger, more family-friendly society, by:
- Getting older people involved in new programmes of civic action and volunteering, at the vanguard of a new army of activists who will help build the Big Society.
- Creating new powers for local communities to save community assets, like post offices, that are of great value to older people.
- Giving greater rights to grandparents after parental break-up or in cases where a child needs to be taken into care.
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Invitation to join the Government of Britain
The Conservative Manifesto 2010
A country is at its best when the bonds between people are strong and when the sense of national purpose is clear. Today the challenges facing Britain are immense. Our economy is overwhelmed by debt, our social fabric is frayed and our political system has betrayed the people. But these problems can be overcome if we pull together and work together. If we remember that we are all in this together.
Some politicians say: ‘give us your vote and we will sort out all your problems’. We say: real change comes not from government alone. Real change comes when the people are inspired and mobilised, when millions of us are fired up to play a part in the nation’s future.
Yes this is ambitious. Yes it is optimistic. But in the end all the Acts of Parliament, all the new measures, all the new policy initiatives, are just politicians’ words without you and your involvement.
How will we deal with the debt crisis unless we understand that we are all in this together? How will we raise responsible children unless every adult plays their part? How will we revitalise communities unless people stop asking ‘who will fix this?’ and start asking ‘what can I do?’ Britain will change for the better when we all elect to take part, to take responsibility – if we all come together. Collective strength will overpower our problems.
Only together can we can get rid of this government and, eventually, its debt. Only
Together can we get the economy moving. Only together can we protect the NHS. Improve our schools. Mend our broken society. Together we can even make politics and politicians work better. And if we can do that, we can do anything. Yes, together we can do anything.
So my invitation today is this: join us, to form a new kind of government for Britain.
Read the Conservative Manifesto 2010
The Conservative Manifesto 2010 is available to read in the document reader below, or alternatively download as a PDF in both hi-res and low-res versions.
Download the 2010 Conservative manifesto (3.04 megs)
Download the 2010 Conservative manifesto (77.04 megs)
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Buy copies of the Conservative Manifesto 2010
Copies of the Conservative Manifesto 2010 are available to buy from the Party Shop at a cost of £5.
Audio of the Conservative Manifesto 2010
Download the Conservative Manifesto 2010 in audio (MP3) format using the links below.
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Gordon Brown’s record – Conservative “Vote for Me” campaign
Michael Gove has launched a new poster campaign putting Gordon Brown’s record at the heart of the election campaign.
These posters arrive alongside a new analysis of Labour’s time in power, and you can view both by clicking the links below.
Speaking at the launch, Shadow Education Secretary Michael Gove said:
“Gordon Brown is asking people to vote him in for another five years but he and his tired Government will just make things worse.”
“He has doubled our national debt and squandered billions of pounds selling off Britain’s gold at rock bottom prices. He has taken billions out of our pensions system and doubled the tax rate for the poorest workers. He has let down our young people by causing record youth unemployment, and overseen an increase in the gap between the rich and poor. And he has let 80,000 criminals out of prison early, leading to 1,500 crimes being committed by people who should have been behind bars.”
“We can’t go on like this. The choice at this election is five more years of Gordon Brown’s tired government making things worse or David Cameron and the Conservatives with the energy, leadership and values to get the country moving.”
… and here are some other things Gordon Brown did…
Cut the Defence Budget at a time of war – and got caught out denying it!
Gordon Brown misled the Chilcot Inquiry, Parliament and the public when he claimed that ‘the defence budget has been rising every year since 1997’
(Hansard, 10 March 2010, Col. 291).
He was later forced to admit that ‘I do accept that in one or two years defence expenditure did not rise in real terms’
(Hansard, 17 March 2010).
Figures from the Ministry of Defence show that the defence budget actually fell year-on-year in real terms on four occasions since 1997 – in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2007.
(Channel 4 News Factcheck, 10 March 2010).
Taxed jobs as we were emerging from recession.
Last December, Gordon Brown’s Government announced a tax on jobs – a 0.5 per cent rise in the rate of National Insurance Contributions for both employees and employers. This comes on top of the
rise in NICs announced in the 2008 PBR, meaning a total planned rise of 1 per cent. This is a tax on all businesses and on every person earning over £20,000.
The Federation of Small Businesses has estimated that this could mean up to 57,000 jobs are lost. (FSB,
Press Release, 24 March 2010)
Increased spending on quangos by £10 billion.
The cost of unelected and poorly accountable government bodies has soared by almost £10 billion under Gordon Brown. In his first year as Prime Minister, total expenditure on so-called
“executive non-departmental public bodies” rose from £37.0 billion to £43.0 billion in 2007-08 – a 16 per cent rise
(Cabinet Office, Public Bodies 2007, p.10; Public Bodies 2008, p.10).
Figures for 2008-09 revealed quango expenditure rose by another £3.5 billion to £46.5 billion – a 7 per cent rise
(Cabinet Office, Public Bodies 2009, p.6) making a mockery of his claims to deliver a new politics.
Brought boom and bust to the NHS – which led to NHS cuts.
Despite massively increasing spending, Gordon Brown has been guilty of a ‘boom and bust’ approach to the NHS finances, forcing NHS Trusts into cuts and wasteful short-term spending. Between 2005 and 2007, 14,500 jobs were cut from the NHS as Trusts struggled to recover from deficits
(NHS Information Centre, NHS Staff 1998-2008, 25 March 2009).
And since 2004, the number of beds in the NHS has been cut by 21,500 – the equivalent of 12 per cent
(Department of Health, Bed availability and occupancy 2008-09, 30 September 2009).
Accident and Emergency departments and maternity units up and down the country have faced or are facing cuts and closures. And things are only set to get worse, as one of Gordon Brown’s own health advisers said that ‘the days of the District General Hospital are over’
(Professor Sir Ara Darzi, NHS London, A Framework for Action, 11 July 2007).
Let truancy rise to record levels.
In 1998, Gordon Brown’s Treasury set a target to reduce truancy rates to 0.5 per cent
(HM Treasury, Comprehensive Spending Review, Public Service Agreements 1999-2000, December 1998).
But the figure now stands at 1.05 per cent – up 44 per cent since 1996/7, well in excess of the Government’s target, and at a record high. 67,000 pupils skip school without permission every day
(DCSF, Pupil Absence in Schools in England, Including Pupil Characteristics: 2008/09, 25 March 2010).
Paid couples more to live apart than together.
The tax credit system penalises parents who live together, giving families a financial incentive to split up.
The IFS has highlighted the fact that a couple with children earning £20,000 between them could be more than £5,000 better off in terms of benefits and tax credits if they split up.
(The Sunday Times, 4 March 2007).
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Highland Council cutbacks will take away front line services Scotland UK
The national percentage for those who are over 60 in scotland is 19%. That percentage increases to 34% for the Highlands and Islands. This percentage for the Highlands will increase by 10% every 5 years so its imperative that proper planning and a full strategic review is carried out in order to ensure adequate health care provision accross the Highlands and islands.
I am disapointed to see that the Highland Council who now have to make £12 million pounds of savings are cutting front line services in areas such as care workers who are a lifeline to many families across this region.
The SNP, Labour and LibDems have all had an opportunity at running the Highland Council but have failed to achieve the outcomes that the people need. Their in-fighting and petty politics have caused inaction and a failure to properly provide for the elderly community which is growing at an incredible rate.
There really does have to be some common sense introduced so that we don’t end up with a situation where we simply dont have the resources to cope.
Add to this the fact that we have had huge numbers of Eastern Europeans migrating to the Highlands who have not being paying contributions to the country but who quickly claim all their entitlements and we see a recipe for disaster due to not having the care provision and infrastructure to cope. The Labour Government were warned that this would happen but neither they nor the LibDems were prepared to listen and simply used political correctness as a weapon to silence their critics.
The SNP are faring no better and despite thousands of Scottish jobs being lost on a weekly basis they still adopt an insane policy of trying to bring huge numbers of immigrants to Scotland when there is simply no jobs for them.
An already overburdoned NHS is now creaking at the seams and the recent case of having 54 beds at Raigmore hospital blocked is tragic. Almost an entire floor is now taken up with people who have no other place to go because the Highland Council did not make the proper provision when they had the opportunity to do so. The bed blocking situation at Raigmore hospital has seen a 50% increase in just one year and may increase further next year unless a soloution can be found.
Local people who require hospital treatment will likely find that waiting lists will grow and with cutbacks in funding this will conspire to bring greater pressure to bear on local people.
Our elderly deserve better and after a lifetime of paying contributions into the NHS and their taxes they should not be worrying about healthcare provision at a time of life when they should be able to relax and take life at a slower pace.
I hope that people across the Highlands quickly wake up to the failures of those we trusted to lead and prepare this region for the future.
Immediate action must now be taken before it really is too late.
Jim Ferguson
Thought you should see (if you have not already seen), the areas that Highland Council are looking to achieve budget cuts and reduce level of service delivery at front end.
Looks to me as if everything possible is being done to protect the non-performing layers of management earning salaries in excess of £40,000 per annum.
One example detailed below demonstrates how management level salaries have got completely out of control:
“Schools General Reduce the number of Quality Improvement Officers by 2″ – Saving 0.140 = £140,000 simply staggering, given the average level of earnings across the Highlands of those employed outside of the Public Sector
The areas that appear to be under the knife are the very areas community leaders feel should be strengthened. particularly in relation to Education and Care of the Elderly!
Please click the link to download the Highland Council document concerned:
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/FD04B6BA-B0E6-4CC5-B3D6-A10FCA5CE352/0/Item9HC4809.pdf
This is the document listing the potential cutbacks for the next two or three financial years within Highland Council and highlights the years of gross mis-management of public finances by successive political parties and elected councillors
Large sums of money have been wasted on flights of fancy, such as the Kessock Bridge fireworks display, with no thought as to how the mooey could have been better utilised for public benefit.
The huge external debt running into hundreds of £Millions, run up by successive administrations has never rung any alarm bells, whilst job protectionism has always been exhibited at the highest level of management – this simply cannot be allowed to continue.
Best wishes
Barrie Haycock
Chair Planning Watch UK
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Documentation extract (NOT Edited):
Highland Council Agenda
Item – 4 March 2010 Report
Budget Consultation
Report by Depute Chief Executive & Director of Finance
Summary
Highland Council, on 11 February, noted that budget consultation proposals would be considered by the Council in March. This report sets out the proposed approach to the
budget consultation exercise.
1. Introduction
1.1 The revenue budget for 2010/11 was agreed by the Council on 11 February. While that report set out a range of savings now agreed for 2011/12 and 2012/13, it
highlighted a considerable budget gap remained across those two years, estimated at £36m.
1.2 Recent comments by the Accounts Commission on the 2009 Audit Overview Report, sets in context the challenges faced by Council’s in the wake of the
economic downturn.
“…the scale of the budget challenge they face means councils need to take urgent
action. It is essential that they continue to develop and implement plans to cope
with the tough times ahead, including thinking radically about service design and
delivery.”
1.3 Given the difficult financial prospects for local government over the next few years, and the level of savings the Council is likely to be faced with, the Council agreed to
consult on budget proposals for 2011/12 and 2012/13, prior to the proposals being considered by the Council in the Autumn of 2010.
1.4 This report sets out the proposed approach to the budget consultation exercise.
1.5 This report is produced in support of the Council’s corporate governance process, which in turn is designed to support/augment the Council’s overall/corporate
delivery of all of its obligations in terms of the Single Outcome Agreement.
2. Purpose of Consultation
2.1 The purpose of the budget consultation exercise will be to:-
? Seeks views from the public and other stakeholders, on a range of specific budget proposals the Council may be asked to consider in Autumn 2010.
? Seek views on the more strategic matters the Council is considering in relation to the budget, for example the education provision/school estate review and the
waste collection strategy.
? Ask the consultees for any areas where they feel budget savings could or should be made.
? Raise awareness of the financial challenges facing the Council and actions that may be necessary to address that.
3. Format of Consultation
3.1 A consultation document will be produced to support the exercise. This document will set out:-
? The financial context facing the Council, including the level of savings the Council thinks will have to be made over the next two years.
? Information on what the Council currently spends its budget on.
? The types of strategic review the Council is conducting or considering in major service areas e.g.
? Corporate Improvement Programme to improve efficiency and effectiveness (including procurement, asset management and business support along with other projects).
? Review of management costs.
? Reduction in travel and subsistence costs.
? Business case review for 5 new care homes.
? Review of education provision/school estate.
? Review of waste collection strategy.
? A range of specific saving proposals the Council may be asked to consider in Autumn 2010.
? Any other relevant supporting information.
? The format of response sought, including questions to be asked of consultees.
3.2 As a working draft, the enclosed annex 1 sets out a list of saving proposals that may feature in the consultation document. This list represents those savings identified by Services as part of the 2010/11 budget exercise, over and above those agreed by the Council to date. Some further refinement to proposals, and incorporate of further information where appropriate, will take place before finalised.
3.3 The consultation document will be hosted on the Council website, with consideration given to availability/distribution through other mediums where appropriate. It is not intended to print mass copies of the document, or utilise newspaper advertising or supplements, to minimise the costs of the consultation.
3.4 Consultees will be asked to provide comments via email, or in writing. Consideration will be given to a dedicated email address for responses. Ward
Forum meetings will also be used to discuss the consultation and receive feedback.
3.5 The Council has agreed that a Citizen Panel be established to support consultation on a range of matters, including the budget. Given the time necessary to recruit
and establish the panel, it will not be possible to use the panel for this initial budget consultation. It is expected that once up and running, the panel will be used for
future budget consultations.
4. Questions to be asked
4.1 While the Council could use a ‘blank sheet’ approach, i.e. leave the consultees to determine the format and content of their response, there are benefits in providing
a structure to the expected response, to aid analysis and collation.
4.2 A range of questions could be considered, to provide a structure to the response, while still leaving the consultee as much freedom as possible to give their views.
The questions could also provide a useful structure for discussion at Ward Forum meetings.
4.3 Some example questions that could be included are set out below.
(1) Are there any other areas of the Council, not reflected in the enclosed proposals, where you feel the Council could or should make savings? If so please provide details.
(2) Are there any comments you wish to make about the strategic reviews the Council is conducting.
4.4 The final structure of the document and questions will be prepared over the coming weeks, prior to formal launch of the consultation.
5. Next Steps and Timetable
5.1 Following the Council meeting, the consultation document will be prepared and incorporated on the Council website. The target date for this task is mid to end March.
5.2 The Council will then arrange for a press release, media coverage, posters in Service Points, etc as a means of promoting the consultation.
5.3 The first Ward Forum to be asked for views on the consultation will be the North West and Central Sutherland Ward Forum on 27th March.
5.4 Discussion at further Ward Forum meetings during April and May will also take place, with the consultation exercise estimated to conclude June 2010.
Recommendation
Members are asked to consider this report and agree the budget consultation approach and timetable.
Signature:
Designation: Depute Chief Executive & Director of Finance
Date: 24 February 2010
Ref:
Background Papers
Author: Brian Porter, Finance Manager
Author’s Telephone No.: 01463 702424
Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1
Education, Culture & Sport
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal
Indicative Savings £m
1 & 3 Devolved budgets – schools Review Secondary timetabling methods, curriculum delivery methods and review teacher entitlement formulae 1.791
8 Schools General Review delivery of music tuition and region-wide music support 0.559
9 Schools General Reduce the number of Quality Improvement Officers by 2 – 0.140
12 Schools General Reduction in teaching absence cover funding 0.047
13 Schools General Discontinue the peripatetic janitorial function 0.287
14 Schools General Clothing Grant Allowance – Reduce level of award and change to “voucher” system 0.080
19 Additional Support Needs 20% reduction across Psychological Services, a 5% reduction across other specialist ASL budgets held centrally, at area level and in schools, including some reorganisation of management and administrative structures. 1.000
20 School Residences Income generation opportunities in School Residences 0.060
22 Grants to Voluntary Organisations
Further review of support for Voluntary Organisations 0.312
23 Youth Work Reduction in Youth Work 0.573
24 Community Learning Further reduction in Adult Education 0.050
25 Community Facilities,
Inverness and Nairn
Reduce number of Community Centres in Inverness 0.133
26 Archives Focus provision on new Highland Archive Centre 0.183
27 Culture Removal of the Out of Eden drama provision including the Highland wide Higher Drama course 0.195
29 Museums Reduce museum provision by two thirds through closures or alternative provision 0.400
30 Highland Culture Fund Removal of Highland Culture Fund and Lochaber Events budget 0.509
31 Integrated Library Service Reduction in library provision, including ceasing the Bookstart service 0.394
32 Integrated Library Service Library Support Unit – Reduce logistical support for libraries 0.100
33 Integrated Library Service Cease all development of the Am Baile gaelic heritage web resources, and seek alternative resources 0.172
34 Leisure, recreation and sports development
Reduce number of swimming pools 0.380
35 Sports Development and Play
Reduce support for sports development and play through review of Council and Partner provision 0.138
36 Floral Hall, Inverness Floral Hall – Close or find a social enterprise model to continue the operation 0.115
Total 7.618
ECS
Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1
JCCYP
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal
Indicative Savings £m
9 Review of Teacher input to nurseries
Reduce in line with service rationalisation 0.100
11 Workforce Qualification Standard
Reduction in expenditure to support early years staff qualification standard, as this will largely have been met. 0.050
Total 0.150
JCCYP
Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1
Social Work
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal
Indicative Savings £m
15 Establish Community Health & Social Care Partnerships with NHS Highland
Move towards integrated management of health and care 0.250
16 Community Care Learning
Disability Support Work provision
Review in – house support services for learning disabilities at Cradlehall, Inverness 0.035
18 Learning Disability Day Care Review of day care facility at Beachview, Brora. 0.069
19 Learning Disability Day Care Review learning disability day care service provision at Tigh na Drochaidh 0.020
20 Community Care Establishments
Review Raasay Day Centre 0.014
22 Care at Home Consider tender for all home care (public sector process involving comparator – phased approach) 1.000
23 Orchard Cease providing residential care at Orchard and downsize provision. Restrict the service to short breaks. 0.150
24 Top slice of fostering & adoption budget
Top slice of fostering & adoption budget 0.100
28 Children & Families Overnight provision in Children’s Units 0.100
31 Care Homes Review of all LA care home provision, to ensure best value tbc
35 Day Care Review Older People’s Day Care at Tigh na Drochaid, Portree 0.065
36 Childrens Services Review Staffin respite unit 0.130
Total 1.933
SW
Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1
TECS
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal
Indicative Savings £m
16 Service Review of overall staffing structure 0.075
18 Service Review all income streams. 0.300
20 Roads & Community Works Review standards of cyclic road maintenance. 0.400
21 Roads & Community Works Review standards of grounds maintenance. 0.500
22 Roads & Community Works Use contractors to replace seasonal staff employed on grounds maintenance. 0.050
23 Roads & Community Works Bught Nursery – examine option to procure plant material from external providers. 0.100
24 Roads & Community Works Review standards of street cleaning. 0.500
25 Roads & Community Works Review provision (numbers) of public toilets. 0.200
26 Roads & Community Works Review Pest Control function 0.095
27 Roads & Community Works Remove budget for unadopted roads. 0.050
28 Roads & Community Works
Business Support
Review the burial administration function for Inverness,
Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey Area. 0.020
32 Waste Management Review level of grant to Social Enterprise Groups. 0.050
33 Transport & Infrastructure Review level of service for street lighting. 0.500
34 Transport & Infrastructure Replace external contractors with internal staff (internal transfer from Roads and Community Works to Street Lighting). 0.050
35 Transport & Infrastructure Review levels of subsidies for public transport. 0.500
36 Transport & Infrastructure Review level of grants to Community Transport Schemes 0.050
37 Transport & Infrastructure Review long term arrangements for the Corran Ferry. 0.150
38 Transport & Infrastructure Review Materials Testing Laboratory. 0.050
39 Transport & Infrastructure Review airstrips. 0.026
40A Environmental Health Review staffing level for Environmental Health. 0.060
40B Trading Standards Review staffing level for Trading Standards. 0.060
42 Business Support Review provision of vehicle workshops including options for amalgamation. 0.050
43 Business Support Review provision of materials stores including options for external provision. 0.075
44 Business Support Review business processes. 0.040
TECS
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal
Indicative Savings £m
45 Roads & Community Works Review temporary mortuary facilities at Glen Nevis, Fort William. 0.005
Total 3.956
TECS
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Conservative policies and the future of our families
I believe that the future of our children and our families is at stake. That sounds a little dramatic but in reality I believe it to be true. Surely encouraging parents to stay together and assisting families to grow together and to actually have a safe future for our children is uppermost in the mind of every caring family across the country.
Conservatives have the unity and strength of vision to ensure that we re-capture the very essence of safe communities and ensure that Britain is a strong foundation and corner stone of happy family life. Everything revolves around the strong family unit and we as Conservatives are striving to ensure that Britain has that strength of purpose.
I believe the following video shows clearly what very ordinary families are feeling right now about Conservative policy and our stand to provide a safe future for our children and subsequent generations.
Jim Ferguson
Watch the video featuring Julie and visit the webpage listing policies for the family.
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Labour will tax the dead
Gordon Brown’s death tax
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley says that ministers are secretly planning a “death tax” of up to £20,000 per head to pay for their plans for a National Care Service.
“Gordon Brown needs to come clean with the public and say how he will fund his new National Care Service”, Lansley said.
“Behind closed doors Ministers are secretly planning a death tax of up to £20,000 per head which would be levied on the estates of grieving families.”
Lansley added that even this death tax would not raise enough to pay for this new National Care Service, meaning that Labour are also planning to take away cash disability benefits from the elderly and cut money from the NHS. “It is another top-down, bureaucratic, costly plan from Labour for which every one of us would end up paying the price”, he said.
Philip Hammond, the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, described the problem this death tax would cause: “When you die, a Labour Government would take £20,000 from what you leave to your children and family. For those with the most modest savings Labour’s plans could leave them with nothing.”
In contrast, he said the Conservatives want to help people in old age so that they can “leave as much of their lifetime’s savings as possible to the next generation”.
“We will offer people the chance to pay a one off premium of £8,000 into a voluntary scheme to cover the cost of residential care in old age. So under our plans no-one would be forced to sell their home to pay for care.”
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Conservative Government will back householders in defence of property and families
I was delighted to see David Cameron taking a stand for common sense and ordinary people when he pledged support for householders who take a stand in defending their properties and families.
For far too long we have seen soft touch justice by this Labour Government who seem more interested in trumpeting the human rights of evil criminals along with support from their Liberal partners in crime.
I hear all too often of people exasperated that the law does not seem to be on their side. There are countless examples of people who quite rightly have stood up to people who damage their property within the bounds of common sense and restraint but who have found themselves reported to the Police and then hauled in and questioned and sometimes arrested and charged just because they either tried to apprehend someone or told someone off for damaging their property.
Ofcourse its not the fact that the law is not on peoples side. The Police simply enforce the law. The problem lies with the Government and the legislators who interpret the law and who apply pressure on the respective Police forces. I have a high regard for the Police in particular Northen Constabulary but over zealous Police officers such as Officer Stuart Gray (Shiny Buttons) simply brings the reputation of the Police down.
We need common sense at every level and a serious resistance mounted in not only limiting political correctness but abolishing it altogether.
David is right to speak out for people all across the country and the nonsense of human rights legislation must be done away with to ensure our courts and law enforcement agencies are free to operate and function properly.
Labour has let the people down in so many fundamental ways that we simply cant go on like this. Its time that ordinary people were put first and a Conservative Government will ensure that justice is restored to the people.
Jim Ferguson
Tory leader pledges backing for people who take on intruders they find in their own homes
Raiders have forfeited their human rights, says Cameron
By Gavin Cordon
Published: 01/02/2010
People who break in to people’s homes “leave their human rights outside” the moment they do, Tory leader David Cameron said yesterday.
He said that Conservatives would strengthen the law to protect householders who exercise their “legitimate” right to self-defence when confronted by an intruder.
“It’s to make sure that fewer cases, frankly, are taken to court, that fewer people are arrested for doing what I think is perfectly legitimate, which is to defend yourself in your own home,” he said.
“The moment a burglar steps over your threshold, and invades your property – with all the threat that gives to you, your family and your livelihood – I think they leave their human rights outside.”
Mr Cameron has previously spoken out on the issue after TV presenter Myleene Klass complained that she was cautioned by police for waving a knife at intruders who entered her garden.
He said that under the Conservative proposals, householders would only face prosecution if they used “grossly disproportionate” force against a burglar.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson dismissed the suggestion that burglars should forfeit their human rights as impractical.
“It’s a wonderful soundbite but that’s all it is. You know it’s not a practical policy,” he said.
“It’s not a practical principle of law that you can operate when you say that anyone who is attempting to burgle another house, thereby renounces all their rights under the law. What sort of country is he trying to create?
“Of course it will receive short-term public applause from those who want to get tough on burglars, as we do in our government, but where’s the practical commonsense policy thinking?” added Lord Mandelson.
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